George Takei
Top Shelf Productions, 2019. 204 pages. Graphic Novel
Takei is typically known for his work on the original Star Trek series as Hikaru Sulu. What fewer people know about him is that as a child, he and his family were imprisoned in Japanese Internment camps during World War II. Written as a graphic novel, this book brings to life the story of his family as they were taken from their home and held in one of ten "relocation centers" at the order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Held for years, Takei watches as his father and mother work tirelessly to lessen the load on their family and many others despite their unthinkable circumstances. After being released and as he grows into a young adult, Takei works to process what he saw and experienced in the camps, inspiring a lifetime of purpose and activism.
You may be familiar with many Holocaust stories taking place in Europe during this time in history, but it's chilling to see how many of the same situations played out on US soil, and how it was omitted from recorded histories for many years afterward. As a result of his experiences, today Takei is an activist devoted to equal rights, and this book represents an important contribution to a critical and too-often disregarded chapter of American history, with continuing relevance today.
BHG
No comments:
Post a Comment